Youth League team ensure progression!

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FC Red Bull Salzburg

·29 November 2023

Youth League team ensure progression!

Group leaders still after win in San Sebastian

Clinical, flawless, experienced - there are a number of adjectives that could be reached for to describe our Young Bulls' performance in Spain, but the result speaks for itself. The 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad's Youth League side has sent Onur Cinel's boys into the next round.

Match summary

The situation going into the game was clear - a win would be enough to ensure progression from the group. Our youngsters didn't make the most purposeful start, however, allowing Real Socieded to get the better of the opening moments. Ramirez hit a long-range effort off-target before Mariezkurrena sent the ball over after a delightful passing move.

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The hosts, who began the game with a realistic chance of progression too, also were not firing on all cylinders at the start. It took 40 minutes until the first major chance fell - and that was quite something! Moritz Neumann got in on goal after a wonderful Reischl solo charge. Folgado saved the ball in goal, but we still managed to take the lead. Zeteny Jano whipped in a dangerous corner and Valentin Sulzbacher was there to head our boys in front in some style (39').

The celebrations had barely ended by the time we were able to rejoice once more. Jano smashed a free-kick straight into the top corner, as Folgado was condemned to be an onlooker (45'). We therefore went into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead.

Real Sociedad tried to strike back after the change of ends. Substitute Garro was denied by our shot stopper, Salko Hamzic, while Arenzana hammered the ball well over from a corner. As our boys focused on keeping things tight in the back, and there was very little to report in the opposing area.

Nonetheless the biggest opportunity of the second half came our way. Jano skipped past an opponent on the touchline and the resulting ball in was clipped just wide of the far post by Reischl. It was the hosts who had the final efforts to note, with Mariezkurrena missing a sitter and Astiazaran also failing to hit the target under pressure.

That was that! Our Youth League team won in San Sebastian to ensure we will remain in Europe next spring!

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That was a really energetic performance from us today, from the first second to the last! We had to put so much into it, in all areas - technically, tactically, but also physically. To compete against these opponents and win with a clean sheet, while remaining unbeaten in the group after five matches is something we can all be very proud of. We are enjoying the win right now, we are going to recover and are looking forward to watching the match tonight!

Onur Cinel

Line-up

Hamzic – Gevorgyan (66' Atiabou), Leitner, Zikovic, Pejazic – Neumann (83' Fernandes-Neto), Sulzbacher (46' Paumgartner) – Sadeqi (46' Trummer), Jano – Reischl, Daghim (46' Verhounig)